U.S. patent number 9,730,377 [Application Number 14/751,521] was granted by the patent office on 2017-08-15 for planter with on-board seed treatment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Trevor L. Kowalchuk.
United States Patent |
9,730,377 |
Kowalchuk |
August 15, 2017 |
Planter with on-board seed treatment
Abstract
A planter is provided with onboard seed treatment for treating
seeds on the go during row-crop planting of an agricultural field.
The seed treatment system of the planter allows for selective
planting of specific zones of a field with treated seed, which may
include planting different zones of the field with seeds having
different treatments. The planter may store untreated seed in bulk
and include a seed treatment system that selectively and precisely
treat the untreated seeds during treatment events by way of an
injection or spray nozzle system that applies liquid treatment to
the seeds traveling along a tightly defined travel path, such as
within pockets of a belt that carries the seeds through a seed
tube.
Inventors: |
Kowalchuk; Trevor L.
(Saskatoon, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd. |
Saskatoon |
N/A |
CA |
|
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Assignee: |
CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
57590940 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/751,521 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160374260 A1 |
Dec 29, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
7/082 (20130101); A01C 7/20 (20130101); A01C
1/06 (20130101); A01C 21/005 (20130101); A01C
7/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01C
1/06 (20060101); A01C 21/00 (20060101); A01C
7/08 (20060101); A01C 7/20 (20060101); A01C
7/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;111/127-129 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2516061 |
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Jan 2015 |
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GB |
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WO2014005319 |
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Sep 2014 |
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WO |
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Other References
EnviroPac Specifications, copyright 2002, Enviropac, Inc., 2 pages,
www.enviropacinc.com/spec.htm. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Weiss; John G
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Henkel; Rebecca L. DeMille; Rickard
K.
Claims
I claim:
1. A planter with on-board seed treatment for treating seeds during
row-crop planting of an agricultural field, the planter comprising:
a frame supporting multiple row units; a seed storage system
storing untreated seeds on the planter; a seed-metering system at
each of the multiple row units selectively receiving the untreated
seeds from the seed storage system and singulating the untreated
seeds for individual release toward the agricultural field; and a
seed treatment system including a treatment storage system
configured to store a volume of liquid seed treatment on the
planter and a treatment application system configured to apply the
liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds while the untreated
seeds are delivered from the seed metering system to the
agricultural field to convert the untreated seeds to treated seeds
during seed treatment events while planting; wherein each row unit
comprises a seed tube configured to direct the individual seeds
released from the seed-metering system toward the agricultural
field and the treatment application system is configured to apply
the liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds while the
untreated seeds are in the seed tube to convert the untreated seeds
to treated seeds during the seed treatment events; wherein the seed
tube comprises a treatment section and wherein the liquid seed
treatment is applied to the untreated seeds at the treatment
section of the seed tube; wherein the seed tube includes a seed
tube housing surrounding an interior seed tube housing cavity, and
a belt is arranged to rotate within the seed tube housing cavity
for directing the untreated seeds through the treatment section of
the seed tube and out of the seed tube as treated seeds toward the
agricultural field; wherein the belt has an outer belt surface and
belt fingers extending outwardly from the outer belt surface with
belt pockets defined between adjacent pairs of the belt fingers,
and wherein the belt pockets are configured to receive untreated
seeds from the seed-metering system and convey the untreated seeds
through the treatment section of the seed tube to receive the
liquid seed treatment during the seed treatment events and direct
the treated seeds out of the seed tube toward the agricultural
field; wherein the treatment application system comprises a pump
configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment to the untreated
seeds in discrete pulses during the seed treatment events.
2. The planter of claim 1 wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump
configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment in discrete pulses
to the untreated seeds during the seed treatment events.
3. The planter of claim 2 wherein the peristaltic pump includes a
pump housing defining a pump cavity, a hose arranged with the pump
cavity directing the liquid seed treatment through the pump, and a
rotor arranged within the pump cavity and configured to rotate and
engage the hose while rotating to progressively squeeze the hose
for delivering the treatment liquid out of the peristaltic pump
during the seed treatment events.
4. The planter of claim 1 wherein treatment application system
includes a treatment nozzle that is arranged at the treatment
section of the seed tube for delivering the liquid seed treatment
into the seed tube housing cavity during the seed treatment
events.
5. The planter of claim 4 wherein the treatment nozzle is
configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment in discrete pulses
during the seed treatment events.
6. The planter of claim 5 wherein the treatment nozzle is a
piezoelectric nozzle configured to release bursts of the liquid
seed treatment during corresponding seed treatment delivery
events.
7. The planter of claim 1 wherein the seed tube comprises a sensor
section arranged upstream of the treatment section of the seed tube
for detecting untreated seeds passing through the seed tube for
coordinating application of the liquid seed treatment to the
untreated seeds during the seed treatment events.
8. The planter of claim 7 wherein the belt includes belt pockets
configured to receive singulated untreated seeds from the
seed-metering system and convey the singulated untreated seeds from
the seed-metering system toward the agricultural field, and wherein
the sensor section includes a sensor arranged for detecting
presence of untreated seeds in corresponding belt pockets for
coordinating discrete releasing of bursts of the liquid seed
treatment during the seed treatment events.
9. The planter of claim 1 wherein the treatment storage system
includes a first treatment storage container holding a first liquid
seed treatment and a second treatment storage container holding a
second liquid seed treatment, and the treatment application system
includes a selector valve assembly arranged between the first and
second treatment storage containers and the treatment section of
the seed tube, wherein the selector valve assembly is configured to
actuate for selectively directing at least one of the first and
second liquid seed treatments to the treatment section of the seed
tube.
10. The planter of claim 1 wherein the treatment storage system
includes a first treatment storage container holding a first liquid
seed treatment and a second treatment storage container holding a
second liquid seed treatment, and wherein the treatment application
system includes: a first treatment nozzle arranged at the treatment
section of the seed tube receiving the first liquid seed treatment
from the first treatment storage container for delivery of the
first liquid seed treatment at the treatment section of the seed
tube during seed treatment events of the first liquid seed
treatment; and a second treatment nozzle arranged at the treatment
section of the seed tube receiving the second liquid seed treatment
from the second treatment storage container for delivery of the
second liquid seed treatment at the treatment section of the seed
tube during seed treatment events of the second liquid seed
treatment.
11. A planter with on-board seed treatment for treating seeds
during row-crop planting of an agricultural field, the planter
comprising: a frame; a seed storage system supported by the frame
and storing untreated seeds; multiple row units supported by the
frame, each of the multiple row units including: a seed-metering
system having a seed meter receiving the untreated seeds from the
seed storage system and singulating the untreated seeds for
individual release toward the agricultural field: a seed tube
receiving the singulated untreated seeds from the seed meter and
defining a treatment section; a seed treatment system including a
treatment storage system storing a volume of liquid seed treatment
on the planter and a treatment application system including a
treatment nozzle receiving the liquid seed treatment from the
treatment storage system and arranged at the treatment section of
the seed tube to apply the liquid seed treatment to the untreated
seeds while the untreated seeds move through the treatment section
of the seed tube to convert the untreated seeds to treated seeds in
the seed tube during seed treatment events while planting; and a
belt arranged in the seed tube and including belt pockets
configured to receive singulated untreated seeds from the
seed-metering system and convey the singulated untreated seeds from
the seed-metering system toward the agricultural field, and wherein
the seed tube defines a sensor section with a sensor arranged for
detecting presence of untreated seeds in corresponding belt pockets
for coordinating discrete releasing of bursts of the liquid seed
treatment onto the untreated seeds during the seed treatment
events.
12. The planter of claim 11 wherein the treatment storage system
includes a first treatment storage container holding a first liquid
seed treatment and a second treatment storage container holding a
second liquid seed treatment, wherein each of the first and second
liquid seed treatments includes at least one of a pesticide, an
herbicide, and a fertilizer, and wherein the treatment application
system includes a pump configured to deliver at least one of the
first and second liquid seed treatments to the untreated seeds in
the treatment section of the seed tube in discrete pulses during
the seed treatment events.
13. A method of on-board seed treatment during row-crop planting of
an agricultural field, the method comprising: storing untreated
seeds on a planter having multiple row units; storing a volume of
liquid seed treatment on the planter; delivering the untreated
seeds to a seed meter at each row unit for singulating the seeds
for individual release onto the agricultural field; releasing the
untreated seeds from the seed meter at each row unit into a seed
tube having a belt with belt pockets receiving the singulated
untreated seeds from the seed meter; delivering the liquid seed
treatment to a treatment section of the seed tube; applying the
liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds while the untreated
seeds move through a treatment section of the seed tube by
releasing bursts of the liquid seed treatment into the belt pockets
to convert the untreated seeds to treated seeds in the treatment
section of the seed tube during seed treatment events while
planting; detecting presence of untreated seeds in the belt pockets
and coordinating release of the burst of the liquid seed treatment
into the belt pockets based on the detected presence of untreated
seeds in the belt pockets.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to planters and, in particular, to
planters with on-board seed treatment for treating seeds during
row-crop planting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern farming practices strive to increase yields of agricultural
fields. Treated seeds are coated with substances such as
fungicides, herbicides, and/or fertilizer that can improve
performance of seeds based on particular agronomic characteristics
of a field. Farmers typically preorder treated seed well in advance
of the planting season in order to ensure availability and get
reasonable prices. However, agronomic characteristics of a field
can change, sometimes quickly, whereby preordering is partly
speculation on what treatment(s) will be best for a particular
year. For example, there may be a report on a particular bug
infestation immediately before the planting season. If the
particular bug infestation is not adequately controlled by the
pre-ordered treatment(s) of the seeds, then additional application
of a corresponding pesticide may be required or the crop may be
left vulnerable to the bug. Furthermore, handling treated seeds
requires considerable care, and disposing of leftover treated seeds
can be challenging because pretreated seeds can be hazardous to,
for example, livestock and wildlife. Small quantities of leftover
treated seeds can sometimes be planted, according to seed company
instructions and government regulations, in fallow or non-cropped
land on the farm which takes labor, equipment, time, and fuel and
requires additional handling of the treated seeds. Disposing of
large quantities of treated seeds has to be done according to the
seed company instructions and government regulations which can be
time-consuming and may require the treated seeds to be moved off
the farm for disposal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a planter with onboard seed
treatment for treating seeds on the go during row-crop planting of
an agricultural field. The seed treatment system of the planter
allows for selective planting of specific zones of a field with
treated seed, which may include planting different zones of the
field with seeds having different treatments. This allows the user
to have reduced exposure to treatment materials by only handling
the treatment materials for loading storage tanks on the planter
while ensuring that only untreated seeds are handled by the user.
Only as much seed is treated on the go as is needed for planting
the treated seed application zones, eliminating leftover treated
seeds. Treatment type selection can be optimized by accurately
selecting a treatment at a time that is close to the planting
session based on the most recent agronomic information at that
time. This also provides flexibility to change seed varieties and
alter the particular treatment applied to the seed, including while
planting.
The planter may store only untreated seed in the bulk-fill or
on-row hoppers and have a seed treatment system that treats the
seed on the go, which may include treating seeds after singulation
but before release from the planter. The seed treatment system may
precisely treat the seeds by way of an injection or spray nozzle
system that applies liquid treatment to the seeds traveling along a
tightly defined travel path and substantially regular time spacing.
This may be done by way of a seed tube with a treatment section for
delivering the liquid treatment at a precise location and a belt
that directs the singulated seeds from the seed meter through the
treatment section for synchronized receipt of the liquid treatment
before leaving the seed tube for delivery onto the agricultural
field.
According to one aspect of the invention, a planter with on-board
seed treatment is provided for treating seeds during row-crop
planting of an agricultural field. The planter includes a frame
supporting multiple row units. A seed storage system stores
untreated seeds on the planter. A seed-metering system at each of
the multiple row units selectively receives the untreated seeds
from the seed storage system and singulates the untreated seeds for
individual release toward the agricultural field. A seed treatment
system includes a treatment storage system configured to store a
volume of liquid seed treatment on the planter. A treatment
application system is configured to apply the liquid seed treatment
to the untreated seeds while the untreated seeds are delivered from
the seed metering system to the agricultural field. This converts
the untreated seeds to treated seeds during seed treatment events
while planting.
According to another aspect of the invention, each row unit may
include a seed tube configured to direct the individual seeds
released from the seed-metering system toward the agricultural
field. The treatment application system may be configured to apply
the liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds while the
untreated seeds are in the seed tube to convert the untreated seeds
to treated seeds during the seed treatment events. The seed tube
may include a treatment section and the liquid seed treatment may
be applied to the untreated seeds at the treatment section of the
seed tube.
According to another aspect of the invention, the seed tube may
include a seed tube housing surrounding an interior seed tube
housing cavity. A belt may be arranged to rotate within the seed
tube housing cavity for directing the untreated seeds through the
treatment section of the seed tube and out of the seed tube as
treated seeds toward the agricultural field. The belt may have an
outer belt surface and belt fingers extending outwardly from the
outer belt surface with belt pockets defined between adjacent pairs
of the belt fingers. The belt pockets maybe configured to receive
untreated seeds from the seed-metering system and convey the
untreated seeds through the treatment section of the seed tube to
receive the liquid seed treatment during the seed treatment events
and direct the treated seeds out of the seed tube toward the
agricultural field.
According to another aspect of the invention, the treatment
application system may include a pump configured to deliver the
liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds in discrete pulses
during the seed treatment events. The pump may be a peristaltic
pump configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment in discrete
pulses to the untreated seeds during the seed treatment events. The
peristaltic pump may include a pump housing defining a pump cavity
and a hose arranged with the pump cavity directing the liquid seed
treatment through the pump. A rotor may be arranged within the pump
cavity and configured to rotate and engage the hose to
progressively squeeze the hose for delivering the treatment liquid
out of the peristaltic pump in discrete pulses during the seed
treatment events.
According to another aspect of the invention, the treatment
application system may include a treatment nozzle that is arranged
at the treatment section of the seed tube for delivering the liquid
seed treatment into the seed tube housing cavity during the seed
treatment events. The treatment nozzle may be configured to deliver
the liquid seed treatment in discrete pulses during the seed
treatment events. The treatment nozzle may be a piezoelectric
nozzle configured to release bursts of the liquid seed treatment
during corresponding seed treatment delivery events.
According to another aspect of the invention, the seed tube may
include a sensor section arranged upstream of the treatment section
of the seed tube. The sensor section is configured for detecting
untreated seeds passing through the seed tube for coordinating
application of the liquid seed treatment to the untreated seeds
during the seed treatment events. A sensor may be arranged for
detecting the presence of untreated seeds in the seed tube, such as
within belt pockets of a rotating belt within the seed tube, for
coordinating discrete releasing of bursts of the liquid seed
treatment during the seed treatment events.
According to another aspect of the invention, the treatment storage
system may include a first treatment storage tank holding a first
liquid seed treatment and a second treatment storage tank holding a
second liquid seed treatment. The treatment application system may
include a selector valve assembly arranged between the first and
second treatment storage tanks and the treatment section of the
seed tube. The selector valve assembly may be configured to actuate
for selectively directing at least one of the first and second
liquid seed treatments to the treatment section of the seed
tube.
According to another aspect of the invention, the treatment storage
system includes a first treatment storage tank holding a first
liquid seed treatment and a second treatment storage tank holding a
second liquid seed treatment. The treatment application system may
include a first treatment nozzle arranged at the treatment section
of the seed tube receiving the first liquid seed treatment from the
first treatment storage tank. The first nozzle can deliver the
first liquid seed treatment at the treatment section of the seed
tube during seed treatment events of the first liquid seed
treatment. A second treatment nozzle may be arranged at the
treatment section of the seed tube receiving the second liquid seed
treatment from the second treatment storage tank. The second nozzle
can deliver the second liquid seed treatment at the treatment
section of the seed tube during seed treatment events of the second
liquid seed treatment.
According to another aspect of the invention, a control system may
control the selector valve and/or first and second nozzles or
corresponding feed valves of the first and second nozzles to
selectively plant treated seeds treated with the first liquid
treatment, the second liquid treatment, both the first and second
liquid treatments, or neither the first nor second liquid
treatments for planting untreated seeds, based on the particular
zone being planted of the agricultural field.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of on-board
seed treatment during row-crop planting of an agricultural field
includes storing untreated seeds on a planter having multiple row
units. A volume of liquid seed treatment is stored on the planter.
The untreated seeds may be delivered to a seed meter at each row
unit for singulating the seeds for individual release onto the
agricultural field. The untreated seeds may be released from the
seed meter at each row unit into a seed tube having a belt with
belt pockets receiving the singulated untreated seeds from the seed
meter. The liquid seed treatment may be delivered to a treatment
section of the seed tube. The liquid seed treatment may be applied
to the untreated seeds while the untreated seeds move through a
treatment section of the seed tube. This may be done by releasing
bursts of the liquid seed treatment into the belt pockets to
convert the untreated seeds to treated seeds in the treatment
section of the seed tube during seed treatment events while
planting. The presence of untreated seeds in the belt pockets may
be detected and the detection of untreated seeds may be used to
coordinate release of the bursts of the liquid seed treatment into
the belt pockets based on the detected presence of untreated seeds
in the belt pockets.
Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present
invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation.
Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and
the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
represent like parts throughout.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic representation of a planter with
onboard seed treatment;
FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic representation of a seed treatment
system;
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic representation of a seed treatment
system at a row unit;
FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic representation of another seed
treatment system at a row unit;
FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic representation of another seed
treatment system at a row unit;
FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic representation of another seed
treatment system at a row unit;
FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic representation of a portion of a
seed treatment system;
FIG. 8 is another simplified schematic representation of a portion
of another seed treatment system; and
FIG. 9 is an example of a seed treatment prescription map for use
with the planter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, planter 5
with on-board seed treatment is shown for treating seeds by way of
seed treatment system 7 during row-crop planting of an agricultural
field. Planter 5 may be one of the EARLY RISER.RTM. series planters
available from Case IH and is typically pulled by a traction device
such as tractor 9. Planter 5 includes frame 11 that supports
multiple row units 13 that are substantially identical. Each row
unit 13 includes various support, metering, and ground-engaging
components. These may include a sub-frame that is connected to
frame 11 by way of a parallel linkage system and furrow opening and
closing mechanisms toward front and back ends of the row unit 13.
The opening and closing mechanisms may include opener disks and
closing disks, respectively, or other ground-engaging tools for
opening and closing a furrow. Each row unit 13 may include a gauge
wheel configured for adjusting furrow depth by limiting soil
penetration of the furrow-opening mechanism while creating the
furrow, and a press wheel may be arranged to roll over the opened
furrow to close the furrow and to further firm the soil over the
seed to promote favorable seed-to-soil contact.
Still referring to FIG. 1, seed 15 is held in seed storage system
17 as untreated seed 15a. Seed 15 may include, but is not limited
to, corn, cotton, soybeans, and other seeds that are singulated for
row-crop planting. Seed storage system 17 includes a bulk storage
system that may be configured for on-row bulk storage with a
manual-fill on-row bulk storage hopper at each row unit 13. FIG. 1
shows bulk storage of seed 15 by way of bulk storage system 19 that
is configured for central or remote bulk storage with at least one
bulk fill hopper 21, shown here as having two central bulk fill
hoppers 21. Bulk fill hoppers 21 are supported by the frame 11 of
the planter 5, remote from the row units 13.
Seeds 15 are released from the bulk storage system 19 for receipt
into an on-row storage system 23 of the seed storage system 17 by
way of an airflow system 25 (FIG. 2). Referring now to FIG. 2, the
airflow system 25 provides pneumatic power for use by various
components of the planter 5 and is used to convey seeds 17 through
the planter 5 to the row units 13 to be dropped into the seed
trench formed by the furrow opening mechanism. Airflow system 25
can include a seed conveyance airflow system 25a providing an
airflow by way of fan "F" that entrains seeds 15 to move the seeds
15 from bulk storage system 19 to the on-row storage system 23
feeding the row units 13 and a seed meter airflow system 25b that
provides native and/or positive pressure for operation of seed
meters at the row units 13, as explained in greater detail
elsewhere herein. Each of the seed conveyance and seed meter
airflow systems 25a, 25b includes a positive air pressure source(s)
and/or vacuum source(s), depending on the particular configurations
of the pneumatic system(s) in which they are incorporated.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the on-row storage system 23 locally
stores relatively small amounts of seeds 15, such as in a vented
mini-hopper 29 (FIG. 2) at each of multiple row units 13 to feed a
seed-metering system 31. When on-row bulk storage is implemented,
the on-row bulk storage hopper of the particular row unit 13
directly feeds the corresponding seed-metering system 31, such as
by gravity. Referring now to FIG. 2, regardless of where the bulk
storage is located, seed-metering system 31 receives the untreated
seeds 15a from the seed storage system 17 and singulates the
untreated seeds 15 for individual release toward the agricultural
field. At each row unit 13, seed-metering system 31 includes seed
meter 33. Each seed meter 33 can be a purely mechanical-type seed
meter 33 or a pneumatic seed meter 33. Referring now to FIG. 2, the
seed meter 33 includes a housing that defines a cavity in which
various components are arranged, including an internal seed disk 35
that is rotated to move at least a surface of the seed disk 35
through a seed pool inside of the seed meter 33 to pick up and
singulate seeds 15 using seed pockets or fingers from the internal
seed pool and convey the individual seeds 15 through the seed meter
33 for individual release out of the seed meter 33 through seed
tube 37 toward a seed trench of the agricultural field as either
untreated seeds 15a or treated seeds 15b. Pneumatic seed meters 33
of negative pressure types are further operably connected through a
vacuum inlet to the seed meter airflow system 25b (FIG. 2) of the
airflow system 25 to provide a vacuum airflow within a vacuum
chamber establishing a negative or vacuum pressure within the seed
meter 33 opposite the seed pool allowing the seeds to be held
against the seed disk such as within the seed pockets by the vacuum
pressure. Pneumatic seed meters 33 of positive pressure types are
operably connected through a pressurized air inlet to the seed
meter airflow system 25b (FIG. 2) to provide a positive airflow and
a corresponding positive pressure at the seed side of the seed disk
35 within the seed meter 33, whereby seeds from the seed pool are
pushed and held against the seed disk such as within the seed
pockets by positive pressure. A seed singulator that is adjustable,
such as remotely adjustable is arranged in the cavity of the seed
meter 33. The singulator is configured to inhibit more than one
seed from being discharged from the seed meter 33 per seed
discharge event. A baffle that is adjustable, such as remotely
adjustable, is arranged in the cavity of the seed meter 33 and is
configured to control the depth of seed in the meter that is
exposed to the seed disk 35. Rotation of the seed disk 35 including
speed of rotation is adjustable such as remotely adjustable by
controlling a seed disk drive system. The seed disk drive system
may include, for example, various electric or hydraulic motors,
drive shafts, chains, and belts, clutches, peg and hole drive
systems, and/or other arrangements such as a directly driven
arrangement in which a motor directly drives the seed disk at its
hub or periphery. The seed meters 33 are operably connected to a
control system for controlling the seed describes system to adjust
seed disk 35 rotational speed for adjusting the seed population, as
well as for controlling seed singulator setting, vacuum level,
baffle position, and/or seed depth inside the seed meter 33
reservoir.
Referring again to FIG. 1, seed treatment system 7 includes
treatment storage system 39 with tank 41 that is configured to
store a volume of liquid seed treatment 43 on planter 5. Liquid
seed treatment 43 includes aqueous or other solutions or
suspensions carrying pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides,
fungicides, disinfectants, fertilizers as macronutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and/or micronutrients or trace
elements such as zinc, and molybdenum. As shown in FIG. 1,
treatment storage system 39 can store multiple liquid seed
treatments 43, represented as different liquid seed treatments
shown as first and second liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b
separately stored in multiple containers 45a, 45b. FIG. 1 shows the
containers 45a, 45b in the same tank 41, separated from each other
by a divider wall, although it is understood that the containers
may instead be provided by separate tanks 41. Seed treatment system
7 includes treatment application system 47 that treats the
untreated seeds 15a by applying a liquid seed treatment(s) 43 while
the seeds 15 are being directed toward the field.
Referring again to FIG. 2, applying the liquid seed treatment(s) 43
to the untreated seeds 15a is performed during seed treatment
events that convert the untreated seeds 15a to treated seeds 15b
while the seeds 15 are delivered from the seed metering system 31
to the agricultural field. Treatment application system 47 includes
various tubing, fittings, pumps, and other plumbing-type components
for moving the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 from the treatment
storage system 39 to the row units 13. Transfer pump 49 is arranged
between the tank 41 of treatment storage system 39 and the row
units 13 for delivering the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 toward
treatment nozzles 51 that are arranged at treatment sections 53 of
the seed tubes 37 for applying the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 to
the untreated seeds 15a during the treatment events.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, treatment application system 47 is
shown configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 in
discrete pulses in a proper amount to coat the seeds 15 and at a
proper timing through the treatment nozzles 51 during the seed
treatment events by timing the seed treatment events to the passing
of untreated seed 15a through the treatment section 53 of seed tube
37. Referring now to FIG. 3, pulsed delivery is achieved upstream
of the treatment nozzle 51 with a pump shown as treatment pump 55
configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment to the untreated
seeds in discrete pulses during the seed treatment events.
Treatment pump 55 may be a peristaltic pump that delivers liquid in
discrete pulses. Treatment pump 55 has a pump housing 57 defining a
pump cavity 59 and a hose 61 arranged with the pump cavity 59 with
one end that defines an inlet 63 of the treatment pump 55 that
receives liquid seed treatment(s) 43 from transfer pump 49 and a
second end that defines an outlet 65 of the treatment pump 55.
Outlet 65 of treatment pump 55 delivers liquid seed treatment(s) 43
to treatment nozzle 51 in pulsed discrete volumes of liquid that
are moved by rotation of rotor 67 within the pump cavity 59. Lobes
of rotor 67 engage the hose 61 within the cavity 59 so that
rotation of rotor 67 progressively squeezes the hose 61, providing
a peristaltic pulsed delivery of liquid out of treatment pump 55.
Pump drive 69 includes a motor such as an electric motor that is
controlled to drive rotation of rotor 67 at a variable rotational
speed to synchronize delivery of the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 to
the times at which the seeds 15 are traveling through treatment
section 53 of seed tube 37.
Referring now to FIG. 4, pulsed delivery is achieved at the
treatment nozzle(s) 51 with the treatment nozzle 51, itself,
configured to deliver the liquid seed treatment(s) 43 in discrete
pulses during the seed treatment events. The treatment nozzle 51
may be a piezoelectric nozzle configured to release bursts of the
liquid seed treatment(s) 43 during corresponding seed treatment
delivery events. The transfer pump 49 can continuously pump to
maintain pressure at the treatment nozzle 51 and the treatment
nozzle is selectively energized to deliver the pressurized liquid
seed treatment(s) 43 at times that are synchronized to seeds 15
traveling through treatment section 53 of seed tube 37.
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, pulsed delivery of the liquid
seed treatment(s) 43 into treatment section 53 of seed tube 37 is
coordinated to the seeds traveling along a tightly defined travel
path and substantially regular time spacing in seed tube 37, shown
here with the seed travel path and timing delineated by a belt 71.
Seed tube 37 includes seed tube housing 73 that surrounds a cavity
75 in which belt 71 is arranged to rotate. Seed tube housing 73 has
an upper end 77 defining an inlet that receives singulated seeds 15
released from the seed meter 33 and a lower end 79 that directs
seeds 15 out of the seed tube 37 toward the field, with belt 71
moving the singulated seeds 15 from upper end 77 to lower end 79 of
seed tube 37. Belt 71 is supported for rotation at upper and lower
belt ends on upper and lower pulleys 81, 83 at upper and lower ends
77, 79 of speed tube 37. Upper pulley 81 is driven by belt drive 85
that directly includes a motor, such as an electric motor, or may
include a gear train transmitting rotation of an output shaft of
the motor to rotation of upper pulley 81 Rotation of upper pulley
81 drives rotation of belt 71 to pass seeds 15 through treatment
section 53 of the seed tube 37 and delivers seeds 15 out of seed
tube 37 toward the field. Belt 71 has outer belt surface 87 with
outwardly extending belt fingers 89, between which belt pockets 91
are defined that individually carry the singulated seeds 15 through
the seed tube 37 during rotation of belt 71. A seed sensor shown as
sensor 93 is arranged for detecting presence or absence of seeds 15
of belt pockets 91 of belt 71. Sensor 93 may be an infrared and/or
other sensor configured to detect the presence or absence of seeds
15 in belt pockets 91. Sensor 93 is shown arranged at sensor
section 95 of seed tube 37, upstream of treatment section 53 of
seed tube 37. Detected presence or absence of a seed 15 within the
belt pocket 91 by way of sensor 93 influences whether liquid seed
treatment(s) 43 will be sprayed into the corresponding belt pocket
91, whereby seed treatment system 7 can ensure that liquid seed
treatment(s) 43 is only sprayed or applied when there is a seed 15
in the treatment section 53 a seed tube 37 to prevent spraying
liquid seed treatment(s) 43 into empty belt pockets 91.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, treatment application system 47 may
include pulsed pump or nozzle delivery like those of FIGS. 3 and 4,
respectively. The belts 71 illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 differ from
those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the belts 71 of FIGS. 5-6 do
not have belt fingers 89 separating the belt pockets 91. Referring
now to FIG. 5, belt 71 is shown as a brush-style rotating belt with
belt pockets 91 defined by spaces 90a provided by openings between
bristles 92 that deflect around the singulated seeds 15 received
from seed-metering system 31 to carry the seeds 15 through the seed
tube 37. Treatment nozzle 51 and sensor 93 face toward tip ends of
the bristles 92 for respectively delivering liquid seed treatment
43 and detecting the presence of untreated seeds 15a. Referring now
to FIG. 6, seed tube 37 has a pair of counter-rotating belts 71
that are spaced from each other to provide the belt pockets 91 in a
space(s) 90b defined in a gap between the outer belt surfaces 87 of
belts 71. The width of the gap providing space(s) 90b is adjusted
so that the outer belt surfaces 87 of belts 71 frictionally engage
and may slightly deflect to conform to the outer surfaces of seeds
15 to provide a pinching holding force to the seeds 15 so that
rotation of the belts 71 carries the seeds 15 through the seed tube
37 while maintaining constant spacing between the seeds 15 in the
belt pockets 91. Treatment nozzle 51 and sensor 93 are arranged
perpendicular to the length of seed tube 37 or parallel axes of
rotation of lower pulleys 83. Treatment nozzle 51 and sensor 93
face toward a side opening of the gap between the belts 71 for
respectively delivering liquid seed treatment 43 and detecting
presence of untreated seeds 15a in the belt pockets 91 of space(s)
90b.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, coordination of timing and spray volume
of seed treatment events is controlled by control system 97.
Referring now to FIG. 2, control system 97 includes a planter
controller 99 and a tractor controller 101 that operably
communicate with each other, for example, by way of an ISOBUS
connection, for coordinating controls of planter 7, including which
liquid seed treatment 43a, 43b (FIG. 1) to apply to the untreated
seeds 15a. Control system 97 can control if and which seed
treatment 43a, 43b (FIG. 1) to apply to the untreated seeds 15a
based on which section(s) or zone(s) of a field is being planted,
such as those represented as treatment zones TZ1, TZ2, TZ3 shown in
prescription map PM in FIG. 9.
Planter controller 99 is shown including a controller 103 and power
supply 105. The controller 103 of the planter controller can
include an industrial computer or, e.g., a programmable logic
controller (PLC), along with corresponding software and suitable
memory for storing such software and hardware including
interconnecting conductors for power and signal transmission for
controlling electronic, electro-mechanical, and hydraulic
components of planter 5. The tractor controller 101 is configured
for controlling operations of the tractor 9 such as controlling
steering, speed, braking, shifting, and other operations of the
tractor 9. In FIG. 2, tractor controller 101 is shown including a
controller 107 and power supply 109. The tractor controller 101 is
configured for controlling the functions of the tractor 9 by
controlling the various GPS steering, transmission, engine,
hydraulic, and/or other systems of tractor 9. Like the controller
103 of planter controller 99, the controller 107 of the tractor
controller 101 can include an industrial computer or, e.g., a
programmable logic controller, along with corresponding software
and suitable memory for storing such software and hardware
including interconnecting conductors for power and signal
transmission for controlling electronic, electro-mechanical, and
hydraulic components of the tractor 9. A tractor interface system
111 is operably connected to the tractor controller 101 and
includes a monitor and various input devices to allow an operator
to see the statuses and control various operations of tractor 9
from within the cab of tractor 9. The tractor interface system 111
may be a MultiControl Armrest.TM. console available for use with
the Maxxum.TM. series tractors from Case IH or may be implemented
as various HMIs (human machine interfaces) of field computers or
other displays or interfaces.
During use, control system 97 can determine planter position,
speed, heading, and/or other movement characteristics by way of
monitoring tractor position and movement through the tractor
controller 101. Tractor controller 101 evaluates a speed input
signal from a tractor speed sensor or other speed indicator along
with a GPS signal or data from tractor GPS with respect to the
prescription map PM (FIG. 9). Using such evaluations, control
system 97 determines whether seeds 15 should be planted as
untreated seeds 15a or treated seeds 15b. If control system 97
determines that treated seeds 15b are to be planted, and if
multiple liquid seed treatment 43a, 43b are being implemented with
seed treatment system 7, then control system 97 can further
determine which of the multiple liquid seed treatments should be
applied to convert untreated seeds 15a to treated seeds 15b during
seed treatment events while planting.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, seed treatment system 7 can apply
different liquid seed treatment 43a, 43b through a single treatment
nozzle 51 (FIG. 7) or multiple treatment nozzles 51 (FIG. 8), which
may include controlling treatment pump(s) 55 (FIG. 3) and/or
nozzle(s) 51 (FIG. 4) by way of control system 97. Referring now to
FIG. 7, selector valve assembly 113 is arranged between the first
and second treatment storage tanks or containers 45a, 45b and the
treatment section 53 of the seed tube 37 to control which the
liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b is fed to treatment nozzle 51.
Selector valve assembly 113 includes two inlets 115 and solenoids
or other actuator(s) 117 to move an internal valve body 119 to
control which liquid(s) flows out of outlet 121 to feed treatment
nozzle 51. Control system 97 actuates valve body 119 to a first
position to block all liquid of liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b
from flowing out of outlet 121 for planting untreated seeds 15a.
Control system 97 actuates valve body 119 to a second position to
allow liquid flow of the first liquid seed treatment 43a to feed
treatment nozzle 51 for applying the first liquid seed treatment
43a to untreated seeds 15a which may be detected by sensor 93.
Control system 97 actuates valve body 119 to a third position to
allow liquid flow of the second liquid seed treatment 43b to feed
treatment nozzle 51 for applying the second liquid seed treatment
43b to untreated seeds 15a which may be detected by sensor 93.
Control system 97 actuates valve body 119 to a fourth position to
allow liquid flow of both the first and second liquid seed
treatments 43a, 43b to feed treatment nozzle 51 for simultaneously
applying both the first and second liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b
to untreated seeds 15a which may be detected by sensor 93.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the first and second treatment nozzles 51
are for respectively applying the first and second liquid seed
treatments 43a, 43b. Control system 97 commands the first liquid
seed treatment 43a to spray out of the corresponding treatment
nozzle 51, shown as the lower treatment nozzle 51, for applying the
first liquid seed treatment 43a to untreated seeds 15a which may be
detected by sensor 93. Control system 97 commands the second liquid
seed treatment 43a to spray out of the corresponding treatment
nozzle 51, shown as the upper treatment nozzle 51, for applying the
second liquid seed treatment 43b to untreated seeds 15a which may
be detected by sensor 93. Control system 97 commands the first and
second liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b to spray out of the
corresponding treatment nozzles 51 for applying both the first and
second liquid seed treatments 43a, 43b to untreated seeds 15a which
may be detected by sensor 93.
To use the planter 5, an operator first displays the prescription
map PM (FIG. 9) on the computer display or monitor of the tractor
interface system 111 (FIG. 2), which would typically be inside the
tractor cab. The prescription map PM displays zones that correspond
to different seed treatment types. In the illustrated prescription
map PM, the unmarked or NA zone corresponds to segments of the
field that can be planted with untreated seeds 15a. Treatment zone
TZ1 shows segments of the field that should be planted with the
seeds 15 treated with the first liquid seed treatment 43a.
Treatment zone(s) TZ1 may correspond to sections of the field with
soil that is element deficient, for example, zinc, whereby the
first liquid seed treatment 43a may include zinc or other deficient
element(s). Treatment zone(s) TZ2 shows segments of the field that
may benefit from having a boundary treatment segment(s) planted.
This may correspond to boundaries of the field that abuts
neighboring fields with a known infestation. As one example, if
neighboring fields at the respective boundaries are known to have
root worm infestation, then treatment zone TZ2 shows segments of
the field mission be planted with seeds 15 treated with the second
liquid seed treatment 43b that has insecticide for protecting
against root worm. While planter 5 moves through the field, control
system 97 evaluates the current treatment zone and correspondingly
commands seed treatments system 7 to allow planter 5 to plant
untreated seeds 15a, or to treat the untreated seeds 15a on the go
so that treated seeds 15b are released from planter 5 downstream of
the seed metering system 31.
Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention
without departing from the spirit thereof. Various components and
features of the system 7, for example, components, or features of
the seed storage system(s), seed conveyance system(s), seed
metering system(s), and treatment application system(s) can be
incorporated alone or in different combinations on a planter. The
scope of these changes will become apparent from the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References